NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
Question 1. Which element is NOT included in the fire tetrahedron?
A) Heat
B) Oxygen
C) Fuel
D) Electricity
Answer: D
Explanation: The fire tetrahedron consists of heat, oxygen, fuel, and a chemical chain reaction.
Electricity is not a required element.
Question 2. Class B fires involve which of the following?
A) Ordinary combustibles
B) Flammable liquids
C) Electrical equipment
D) Cooking oils
Answer: B
Explanation: Class B fires are fires involving flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, oil, and
paint.
Question 3. Which extinguishing agent is most appropriate for a Class C fire?
A) Water
B) Foam
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Wet chemical
Answer: C
Explanation: CO₂ is non-conductive and suitable for electrical (Class C) fires.
Question 4. Conduction, convection, and radiation are all types of what?
A) Fire extinguishing agents
B) Fire detection methods
C) Heat transfer mechanisms
D) Sprinkler system types
Answer: C
Explanation: These are the three primary ways heat moves during a fire.
Question 5. What type of sprinkler system contains water in all pipes at all times?
A) Dry pipe
B) Wet pipe
C) Pre-action
D) Deluge
Answer: B
Explanation: Wet pipe systems are filled with water, ready for immediate discharge.
Question 6. Which sprinkler head is designed to be installed in the ceiling and spray downward?
A) Upright
B) Pendent
C) Sidewall
D) Concealed
, NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: Pendent heads hang from the ceiling and spray downward.
Question 7. The main function of a fire pump in a sprinkler system is to:
A) Detect fires
B) Increase water pressure
C) Control smoke
D) Activate alarms
Answer: B
Explanation: Fire pumps boost water pressure to ensure effective sprinkler operation.
Question 8. Which standpipe system is intended for use by fire departments only?
A) Class I
B) Class II
C) Class III
D) Class IV
Answer: A
Explanation: Class I standpipes are designed for professional firefighter use with 2½-inch hose
connections.
Question 9. What is the primary purpose of a jockey pump?
A) Deliver fire suppression agent
B) Maintain pressure in a fire protection system
C) Supply water in emergencies
D) Test fire alarms
Answer: B
Explanation: Jockey pumps maintain pressure to prevent unnecessary fire pump operation.
Question 10. Which is NOT a component of a typical sprinkler system?
A) Alarm valve
B) Check valve
C) Smoke detector
D) Sprinkler head
Answer: C
Explanation: Smoke detectors are part of fire alarm systems, not sprinkler systems.
Question 11. What differentiates a pre-action sprinkler system from a wet pipe system?
A) Contains water at all times
B) Requires a detection event before water enters pipes
C) Uses compressed air
D) Always open nozzles
Answer: B
Explanation: Pre-action systems require a separate detection event to allow water into the pipes.
Question 12. Which system is best suited for areas subject to freezing temperatures?
A) Wet pipe
B) Dry pipe
, NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
C) Deluge
D) Pre-action
Answer: B
Explanation: Dry pipe systems use air or nitrogen under pressure to prevent freezing.
Question 13. The chemical chain reaction in the fire tetrahedron represents:
A) Physical mixing of chemicals
B) Self-sustaining combustion process
C) Water reacting with fuel
D) Cooling of hot surfaces
Answer: B
Explanation: The chain reaction keeps the fire going once started.
Question 14. What type of fire extinguisher should be used for a Class K fire?
A) Water
B) CO₂
C) Wet chemical
D) Dry chemical
Answer: C
Explanation: Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for cooking oils and grease fires (Class K).
Question 15. Which foam concentrate is specifically designed for use with alcohol-based fuels?
A) AFFF
B) Protein foam
C) AR-AFFF
D) Fluoroprotein foam
Answer: C
Explanation: Alcohol-Resistant AFFF (AR-AFFF) is formulated for alcohol and polar solvent fires.
Question 16. Which type of fire alarm control panel allows for device-specific identification?
A) Conventional
B) Addressable
C) Manual
D) Local
Answer: B
Explanation: Addressable panels can identify the exact location of activated devices.
Question 17. Which NFPA standard covers the installation of sprinkler systems?
A) NFPA 13
B) NFPA 25
C) NFPA 72
D) NFPA 14
Answer: A
Explanation: NFPA 13 is the standard for the installation of sprinkler systems.
Question 18. In a standpipe system, the FDC stands for:
A) Fire Detection Controller
, NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
B) Fire Door Control
C) Fire Department Connection
D) Flow Discharge Controller
Answer: C
Explanation: FDC is where the fire department connects hoses to supplement system water.
Question 19. What is the primary hazard associated with CO₂ fire suppression systems?
A) Toxic residue
B) Asphyxiation
C) Equipment corrosion
D) Explosiveness
Answer: B
Explanation: CO₂ displaces oxygen and can cause asphyxiation if not used carefully.
Question 20. The main purpose of a check valve in a sprinkler system is to:
A) Increase water flow
B) Prevent backflow
C) Detect leaks
D) Reduce pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Check valves stop water from flowing backward into the supply.
Question 21. Which fire detection device responds to the presence of combustion by-products?
A) Heat detector
B) Flame detector
C) Ionization smoke detector
D) Water flow switch
Answer: C
Explanation: Ionization smoke detectors sense particles produced by combustion.
Question 22. What is the function of a deluge valve in a sprinkler system?
A) Maintain system pressure
B) Release water to all open nozzles simultaneously
C) Detect smoke
D) Activate alarms
Answer: B
Explanation: Deluge valves release water to all heads in the system at once.
Question 23. Which type of standpipe system provides both 1½-inch and 2½-inch hose connections?
A) Class I
B) Class II
C) Class III
D) Class IV
Answer: C
Explanation: Class III systems provide both sizes for use by fire departments and trained building
personnel.
Question 1. Which element is NOT included in the fire tetrahedron?
A) Heat
B) Oxygen
C) Fuel
D) Electricity
Answer: D
Explanation: The fire tetrahedron consists of heat, oxygen, fuel, and a chemical chain reaction.
Electricity is not a required element.
Question 2. Class B fires involve which of the following?
A) Ordinary combustibles
B) Flammable liquids
C) Electrical equipment
D) Cooking oils
Answer: B
Explanation: Class B fires are fires involving flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, oil, and
paint.
Question 3. Which extinguishing agent is most appropriate for a Class C fire?
A) Water
B) Foam
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Wet chemical
Answer: C
Explanation: CO₂ is non-conductive and suitable for electrical (Class C) fires.
Question 4. Conduction, convection, and radiation are all types of what?
A) Fire extinguishing agents
B) Fire detection methods
C) Heat transfer mechanisms
D) Sprinkler system types
Answer: C
Explanation: These are the three primary ways heat moves during a fire.
Question 5. What type of sprinkler system contains water in all pipes at all times?
A) Dry pipe
B) Wet pipe
C) Pre-action
D) Deluge
Answer: B
Explanation: Wet pipe systems are filled with water, ready for immediate discharge.
Question 6. Which sprinkler head is designed to be installed in the ceiling and spray downward?
A) Upright
B) Pendent
C) Sidewall
D) Concealed
, NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
Answer: B
Explanation: Pendent heads hang from the ceiling and spray downward.
Question 7. The main function of a fire pump in a sprinkler system is to:
A) Detect fires
B) Increase water pressure
C) Control smoke
D) Activate alarms
Answer: B
Explanation: Fire pumps boost water pressure to ensure effective sprinkler operation.
Question 8. Which standpipe system is intended for use by fire departments only?
A) Class I
B) Class II
C) Class III
D) Class IV
Answer: A
Explanation: Class I standpipes are designed for professional firefighter use with 2½-inch hose
connections.
Question 9. What is the primary purpose of a jockey pump?
A) Deliver fire suppression agent
B) Maintain pressure in a fire protection system
C) Supply water in emergencies
D) Test fire alarms
Answer: B
Explanation: Jockey pumps maintain pressure to prevent unnecessary fire pump operation.
Question 10. Which is NOT a component of a typical sprinkler system?
A) Alarm valve
B) Check valve
C) Smoke detector
D) Sprinkler head
Answer: C
Explanation: Smoke detectors are part of fire alarm systems, not sprinkler systems.
Question 11. What differentiates a pre-action sprinkler system from a wet pipe system?
A) Contains water at all times
B) Requires a detection event before water enters pipes
C) Uses compressed air
D) Always open nozzles
Answer: B
Explanation: Pre-action systems require a separate detection event to allow water into the pipes.
Question 12. Which system is best suited for areas subject to freezing temperatures?
A) Wet pipe
B) Dry pipe
, NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
C) Deluge
D) Pre-action
Answer: B
Explanation: Dry pipe systems use air or nitrogen under pressure to prevent freezing.
Question 13. The chemical chain reaction in the fire tetrahedron represents:
A) Physical mixing of chemicals
B) Self-sustaining combustion process
C) Water reacting with fuel
D) Cooling of hot surfaces
Answer: B
Explanation: The chain reaction keeps the fire going once started.
Question 14. What type of fire extinguisher should be used for a Class K fire?
A) Water
B) CO₂
C) Wet chemical
D) Dry chemical
Answer: C
Explanation: Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for cooking oils and grease fires (Class K).
Question 15. Which foam concentrate is specifically designed for use with alcohol-based fuels?
A) AFFF
B) Protein foam
C) AR-AFFF
D) Fluoroprotein foam
Answer: C
Explanation: Alcohol-Resistant AFFF (AR-AFFF) is formulated for alcohol and polar solvent fires.
Question 16. Which type of fire alarm control panel allows for device-specific identification?
A) Conventional
B) Addressable
C) Manual
D) Local
Answer: B
Explanation: Addressable panels can identify the exact location of activated devices.
Question 17. Which NFPA standard covers the installation of sprinkler systems?
A) NFPA 13
B) NFPA 25
C) NFPA 72
D) NFPA 14
Answer: A
Explanation: NFPA 13 is the standard for the installation of sprinkler systems.
Question 18. In a standpipe system, the FDC stands for:
A) Fire Detection Controller
, NM MS12 Fire Protection Systems Exam
B) Fire Door Control
C) Fire Department Connection
D) Flow Discharge Controller
Answer: C
Explanation: FDC is where the fire department connects hoses to supplement system water.
Question 19. What is the primary hazard associated with CO₂ fire suppression systems?
A) Toxic residue
B) Asphyxiation
C) Equipment corrosion
D) Explosiveness
Answer: B
Explanation: CO₂ displaces oxygen and can cause asphyxiation if not used carefully.
Question 20. The main purpose of a check valve in a sprinkler system is to:
A) Increase water flow
B) Prevent backflow
C) Detect leaks
D) Reduce pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Check valves stop water from flowing backward into the supply.
Question 21. Which fire detection device responds to the presence of combustion by-products?
A) Heat detector
B) Flame detector
C) Ionization smoke detector
D) Water flow switch
Answer: C
Explanation: Ionization smoke detectors sense particles produced by combustion.
Question 22. What is the function of a deluge valve in a sprinkler system?
A) Maintain system pressure
B) Release water to all open nozzles simultaneously
C) Detect smoke
D) Activate alarms
Answer: B
Explanation: Deluge valves release water to all heads in the system at once.
Question 23. Which type of standpipe system provides both 1½-inch and 2½-inch hose connections?
A) Class I
B) Class II
C) Class III
D) Class IV
Answer: C
Explanation: Class III systems provide both sizes for use by fire departments and trained building
personnel.
